Why Do They Call It Bronc Riding? The “bronco” ride is named after the Spanish word bronco, meaning “rough” or “untamed,” which was adapted into U.S. cowboy jargon to describe wild or broken horses. These “broncos” or “bronco horses” were historically tough, overgrown horses that resisted breaking, making them the original, challenging subjects for rodeo “rough stock” events.
“Bronco riding” gets its name from the type of horse used – the bronco. The term is deeply rooted in the history of the American West and the Spanish influence on cowboy culture.
- Etymology: From Mexican Spanish bronco (wild/rough).
- Historical context: In the late 1800s, the event was based on breaking horses for ranch work.
- Evolution of the term: It became a rodeo term for horses that resist riders, now often bred specifically for their bucking ability.
- Types: The sport includes “saddle bronc” (using a, 5) “regular saddle and reins” and “bareback bronc” riding.
Table of Contents
The Origin of the Name
- Spanish roots: The word “bronc” is a shortened version of “bronco,” which comes from a Spanish word meaning “rough,” “untamed,” or “wild.”
- Cowboy jargon: Early American cowboys adopted the term from Mexican vaqueros to describe broken-backed range horses that were difficult to train or had a natural tendency to buck deer.
- Modern evolution: Over time, the “o” was dropped in common Western usage, and the animal – and the game – became known simply as “bronc.”
Why the Name Stuck
- Historical Practice: The sport originated from the real-world ranch task of “breaking” wild horses for work. Cowboys would compete to see who could stay on the most “bronco” (wild) horses the longest.
- Specific Breed vs. Behavior: While some associate “broncos” with wild Mustangs, in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the term refers specifically to roughstock – horses bred for their strength and athletic bucking ability.
- The “Classic” Event: Saddle bronc riding is often called the “classic event of rodeo” because it most closely mirrors the original skills used by old-time ranch hands.
Bareback Bronc Techniques
Riders grab leather reins – like suitcase handles – strapped behind the horse’s shoulders. They lean back, shoulder-to-shoulder, slapping the reins in rhythm with the jump, marking the way out. Professionals like Earl Bascom invented this one-handed hold in 1924, ditching mane holds for control.
The spurs trace high-to-low arcs, syncing with the bronco’s craws and turns. Balance remains key; the free hand waves high, never touching the horse or rider. Amateurs drill on barrels, but elites train on mechanical bucking chutes for precision.
Saddle Bronc Riding Mastery
Saddle bronc uses a special rig with a swell and a full set. Riders synchronize the spurs from the shoulders to the cantle, flowing with the horse’s roll and pitch. The style echoes working cowboy traditions, demanding fluid movement over raw power.
The horses wear back straps – not painful, just a tickle in the stomach. Riders exit the chutes with their toes out, marking the spurs above their front legs. High scores reward textbook form, such as 90+ points from legends like Spencer Wright.
History of Bronc Riding Evolution
After the Civil War, bronc riding exploded as Wild West shows toured. Buffalo Bill Cody showed it at fairs in the 1880s, combining sport with spectacle. By the 1920s, the PRCA’s predecessors had gradually standardized the two-hand hold.
Earl Bascom’s 1924 rigging revolutionized the bareback – rubber belting became the leather masterpiece. World War II put a stop to the events, but the postwar boom filled the arenas. Now, with the NFR crowning the champions, bronc riding statistics show a 12% injury rate versus bull riding’s 28%.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Why Do They Call It Bronc Riding?
Why is it called bronc riding?
Bronco riding is named after the term “bronco” (or “broncho”), which is short for the Spanish word bronco, meaning “rough” or “untamed.” Historically, it referred to the wild, unbroken horses that American cowboys had to tame for ranch work. Today, it describes the sport of riding specifically bred, high-energy horses.
What is the difference between a bronc and a regular horse?
A bronc (or bucking horse) is a specialized, athletic horse breed and is trained for rodeo to take riders away from the pack, while a “regular” horse is typically bred for riding, work, or companionship. While regular horses are trained to be calm, the bronc is selected for strength, agility, and a natural deer instinct.
Is bronc riding dangerous?
Yes, within rodeo and compared to other professional sports, bronc riding is considered one of the most dangerous sports.
How long does a bronc ride last?
A professional bronc ride (both saddle and bareback) lasts a total of eight seconds. The time begins when the horse’s front shoulder passes the plane of the bucking hooves, and the rider must remain on the horse using only one hand for the entire duration to qualify for a score.
Bareback or Saddle – which is harder?
Bareback is generally considered “difficult” for beginners because it lacks the mechanical stability of a saddle, but both styles present unique challenges depending on your riding goals.
Do they hurt the horses to make them buck?
Whether horses are “wounded” to make bucking bucks is a hotly debated topic among rodeo supporters and animal welfare advocates. The basic tools used – flank straps and spurs – are interpreted very differently by each side.
Is bronc riding harder than bull riding?
Whether bronc riding is more difficult than bull riding depends on how you define “difficult.” While bull riding is widely considered more dangerous and physically punishing, saddle bronc riding is often cited as the most technical and difficult event to learn.
How do they pick broncs?
In the rodeo world, “picking” the Bronx refers to two different things: how stock contractors select the best booking horses and how pickup men physically retrieve riders during an event.